I'm deep into Christmas stock prep now, which means it's GOLD time! I love a scattering of gold stars at Christmastime, though it's a fiddly business. The lustre comes in a teeny weeny bottle, looks brown when you paint it on, smells frightful and requires a turps clean up. The pots and decorations require a third firing to magically transform the dull brown paint into gleaming gold.

[painting with the gold lustre - the lump of clay saves me from knocking the precious bottle over!]

A sweet weekend; finally finishing my open sign (hand-painted, of course!), good food, sunshine, rain and long walks.

We have a long history of respecting the fairies (or 'little people') on the Isle of Man - visitors will have undoubtedly driven over the Fairy Bridge, which is laden in tokens from tourists. The 'real' fairy bridge however, is far off the beaten track, mostly unknown. The few tributes here are careful, thoughtful and left with respect.

It's only taken me a year (!), but I've finally gotten around to sorting out a sign for my little studio! The driveway to Lower Bishopscourt Farm is a tricky one, being on a fast country road. Hopefully this wee sign will help direct visitors in to find me!